MANAYUNK

Our favorite fitness studios are keeping us fit and keeping us safe with outdoor and online classes, so we couldn't wait to try them! After the last few months of working from home, we all needed a break from the routine and, let's face it, a little exercise. But whether it's the breath of fresh air from an outdoor class or simply seeing fresh faces online, this was exactly what we needed to break up the monotony and bring in the movement!

Have you tried Manayunk fitness classes online or outdoors? Show us on Instagram! #MoveitMNYK And check out https://www.facebook.com/events/277010980248611 for more information.

Awakenings Pole and Aerial Fitness: Exotic Dance and Burlesque Online Class
By Jessica, Brand Manager + Marketing Coordinator

Short summary of your class.
We jumped right into a floor work warm-up comprised of swivels, shimmies, and snake-like slithers to get us nice and loose. The rest of our hour was spent learning new choreography, piece by piece, and the class was brought to a crescendo with a final performance worthy of applause.

How did you feel before your workout?
I didn't know what to expect. I'm also naturally shy, so of course I was a bit nervous to take a class like this with others, but I was excited because I've always wanted to try a class from Awakenings.

How did you feel during your workout?
I felt supported throughout this class. Not everyone can grasp bold Beyonce-level choreography, but with the help of the patient instructor Sarah, I felt I was earning my Queen Bee stripes. She explained everything thoroughly and she even wore two different colored socks, which helps immensely when the student has two left feet! Sarah also had perfectly placed stops for water, questions, and rock-star encouragement.

How did you feel after?
Accomplished!

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
Confidence for sure, and the ability to explore that confidence in the comfort of my own space. Additionally, I felt that we stretched and worked parts of the body that don't get much exercise. This was very refreshing. It's like a reset button for the body!

What made this class different from others you have taken?
There was an emphasis on not being perfect and making each move your own. I found this to be extremely valuable because the class was full of different people, with different backgrounds, body types, and personalities, and each person had their own flair. I feel like this took some of the pressure off and encouraged us to be genuine and uninhibited.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
Anyone and everyone.

What else do we need to know about Awakenings Pole and Aerial Fitness?
Come as you are and don't be shy! Also, make sure you have a soft mat, knee-high socks to protect your knees, and lots of room to drop it low.

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JTown Hot Yoga: Core & Cardio Outdoor Class
By Gwen, Executive Director

Short summary of your class.
I took my class on Tuesday July 14 with JTown Hot Yoga. I am a long-time client of JTown and I love their Core & Cardio class. I am not a yogi by practice. This class is a real work-out that drops small amount of yoga techniques throughout the class. I haven’t been to this class since prior to COVID-19 and it is usually in a hot studio. I loved it! The energy on Grape Street was great and the instructor, Jillian, runs a strenuous class. I missed the hot studio less than I thought I would. I am so happy to be back and love the outside venue.

How did you feel before your workout?
I was nervous to take the class. Although I have been walking and running a lot with my new dog, I felt that I was getting way out of shape.

How did you feel during your workout?
Good. I surprised myself but it was still difficult and my body felt like it had been sometime since I had a good work out.How did you feel after?

I felt great afterwards and very energized.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
The thrill of being back and exercising again.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
The outside atmosphere was definitely what was different, but in a good way.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
I don’t think this class should intimidate anyone. It is hard but you adjust to your own limits while Jillian pushes and encourages at the same time.

What else do we need to know about JTown Yoga?
The JTown staff is great and very accepting and helpful. So sign up and give it a try, just bring a mat and a sweat towel (you will need it).

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Goals Fit: Boot Camp
By Joan, Marketing + Retail Strategy

Short summary of your class.
I took the Friday 5:45AM Boot Camp. We met in the United Artists movie theater parking lot. We were socially distant and everyone had to have a mask with them. We stretched and were off running and so much more: burpees, push-ups, squats, jumping jacks, etc.

How did you feel before your workout?
Nervous and anxious from being up very early. I set my alarm for 5:15AM. The class is held rain or shine, so I was set to go and it was supposed to rain. I was happy that it didn’t!

How did you feel during your workout?
Challenged. I felt like a bad-ass - there's something about doing push-ups in a parking lot and using park benches for bench dips! I loved running around Manayunk and up into the hills of Bala Cynwyd. It was an awesome scenic run, too. I definitely realized I need to run more for my breath – I was huffing and puffing a bit.

How did you feel after?
Exhilarated. Tired. Sweaty. Proud. By 6:45AM, I had already done 6,800 steps!

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
There is nothing like working out outside. I used to do it and I miss it. It makes you smile...when you're not out of breath!

What made this class different from others you have taken?
The challenge – there is nothing about this workout that is boring.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
Someone who is willing to challenge themselves. The people I met talked about how it has changed their body and how they look forward to the varying workouts. You have to be willing to be adventurous.

What else do we need to know about Goals Fit?
Bring a water bottle, and I wore finger-less bike gloves. Not everyone else did but it made the workout more comfortable. You don’t need any thing else – just the right attitude! I will definitely do it again.

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Never Give Up Training: Live Stream Never Give Up Training
By Meg S., Executive Assistant

Short summary of your class.
So tough! Our strength training class consisted of squats, push-ups, burpees, and lots of high knees. I could tell I was already getting a dynamic workout just five minutes into it. The music was HYPE and Laison, our instructor, was very encouraging even though I didn’t turn my camera on. He definitely brought the accountability and was super fun to workout with!

How did you feel before your workout?
I knew it was going to be difficult because I don’t typically lift weights during my workouts. I'm more of a runner but I was excited to try something different.

How did you feel during your workout?
Exhausted but energized. I had to step it up halfway through to keep up!

How did you feel after?
So beat! I could definitely feel it in my legs from all the awesome squats. Loved it and felt very accomplished.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
I learned that I can actually kill it at strength training if I show up and do it! No need to be scared of heavy weights, this class made them approachable and effective.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
The fast pace of this class kept it moving along and made it easier to keep it pushing until the end.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
Someone looking to challenge themselves or take their workouts a step further. This class will help you get there!

What else do we need to know about Never Give Up Training?
Definitely wear sneakers, I started with bare feet and quickly realized that was not the way to go. Bring water, energy, and NEVER GIVE UP. It really helps.

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RowZone Manayunk: Outdoor BOOTCAMP at the PADELphia Courts
By Leo, Communications + Operations Manager

Short summary of your class.
This 45-minute outdoor hybrid class blends the traditional rowing interval training from RowZone with a boot-camp-style workout with a focus around Padel (a racket sport similar to squash). This 16-person workout is split in two, with half of participants beginning with a rowing class hosted by RowZone's Anthony Fittipaldi, while the other half cycles around eight different bootcamp stations hosted by PADELphia’s, Scott Grote. I started with RowZone and ended with the Padel workouts.

Part One: RowZone Intervals

• 40”/20” x 3
• 30”/30” x 4
• 1’/1’ x 2

Part Two: Padel Stations (about 2.5 rotations through eight stations with paddle in hand)

1. Return 5 Padel Serves
2. Jump Ups (Or Step Ups Option)
3. Push Ups (Incline or Decline Options)
4. Squat Jumps
5. Double Heisman
6. Tricep Dips
7. Military March
8. Wall Sits

How did you feel before your workout?
I felt pretty confident (perhaps a bit overconfident) because I thought I was familiar with the rowing workout and didn’t think much about the “bootcamp” part of the class title at the time. I was under the impression I would just be sitting at the rowing machine the whole time. It wasn’t until I showed up and watched the class before me that I realized what I had signed up for and felt a bit intimidated at first.

How did you feel during your workout?
I definitely felt hot and sweaty (but in a good way). A sunny Saturday class at 10AM was nice enough where there was a cool breeze coming off the river and we hadn’t reached the hottest point in the day, which was a relief. I felt a great energy during the rowing portion of the class and my form had significantly improved as we got into a rhythm, but by the time I reached my second round of the bootcamp stations I started to feel exhausted (in hindsight, I wish I had ended with the rowing to gain another perspective on the class and see if it was easier!). I kept pushing myself, even though I started to struggle in my form (my push-ups and squat jumps hardly looked like push-ups and squat jumps by the time the class was over).

How did you feel after?
Although I was completely drenched in sweat, I felt relieved to start off my Saturday with much needed physical activity (instead of my usual couch potato weekend lifestyle). This workout kept me energized and put me in a positive mindset for the rest of my day.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
The term “bootcamp” can sound intimidating at first, but if you are up for a challenge, it is a worthwhile experience. When I’ve worked out on my own at gyms in the past, I would constantly check my phone to see what time it was because I told myself I should workout for an hour. With this class, time flew by and both Anthony and Scott kept the class exciting to the point where nothing felt repetitive and your body is constantly moving.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
I really enjoyed the collaborative nature of this class between RowZone and PADELphia. It was great to see the innovation of two community institutions working together with a focus on keeping people active while achieving separate goals. RowZone is able to continue serving their clients in an outdoor setting, while PADELphia has an opportunity to introduce their sport to a brand new audience.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
I highly recommend this class for anyone who doesn't have the motivation to take online classes or work out from home. It takes a lot of self-determination to get into a home routine and some people just need that in-person kick in the butt to keep going. Anthony and Scott are excellent motivators to give you that extra push you need and advise you on different techniques and best practices mid-workout. I also recommend this class for people who may normally get bored of repetition and start to lose interest. The timed intervals in both parts of the class keep you on your toes so that you’re consistently in focus on the next step of the boot-camp.

What else do we need to know about RowZone?
Don’t feel intimidated about signing up for a class with RowZone. It may seem like you need some kind of rowing experience, but this class is accommodating to all levels. Anthony was also very helpful in getting me into a proper form and rhythm (he had to tell me multiple times to relax my shoulders but I eventually got the hang of it!) It’s also good to know that this is a full-body workout. At first, I thought I’d just be working out my arms and upper body based on what I thought a rowing class would entail, but this was not the case. You’re pushing off with your legs and focusing on your core and your posture through each repetition. Combining this class with a padel-centric bootcamp gives you a well-rounded workout that will convince yourself to come week after week.

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SWEAT FITNESS: Instagram At-Home Workouts
By Leo, Communications + Operations Manager

Short summary of your class.
Since the stay-at-home order began back in March, SWEAT Fitness has posted daily At-Home Workout routines on their Instagram page to stay in touch with their clientele and keep them active. None of the workouts require at-home equipment (except for weighted items you can find around the house) and the routines change every day. The routine I chose was posted on Monday, 7/13 and featured 6 rounds of 3 different exercises: 20 squat presses (using a weighted item. I chose a 7.5 lb. dumbbell plate), 20 pushups, and two minutes of cardio (SWEAT listed several different options. I went with 2 Minutes of high knees).

How did you feel before your workout?
While I’m much better suited for morning workouts, I was a little drowsy and resistant to get out of my bed. Once I mustered up the energy, I was eager to get started and put myself to the SWEAT test.

How did you feel during your workout?
The first round was definitely the easiest. I thought to myself, “This should be a piece of cake.” By the time I hit round two, I started feel the burn in my quads, hamstrings, and glutes while doing the squat presses. But the pushups and high knees were still manageable. Rounds three through six, however, were a bit of a blur. I’m not a fitness guru by any means, so I began to sweat even harder than originally expected. I started to lose count of my squat presses and pushups, and since I always try to be honest with myself, I might have done a few more than 20 during those rounds. The two minutes of high knees/cardio intervals felt like an eternity by round five and I couldn’t wait for my timer to go off so I could take a quick break before my final round. By the time I finished round six, I sprawled out in the grass, closed my eyes, and took a quick rest to catch my breath before getting my day started.

How did you feel after?
I was pretty wiped out after all was said and done, but getting that solid 30-45 minute workout in at the start of the day was well worth it. Luckily, the morning weather was pretty mild so I didn’t feel overheated (outside of the built-up sweat from the workout).

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
It felt great to have a curated daily routine from fitness experts. Whenever I decide to workout from home, I tend to transition into different exercises on the fly whenever I get bored of doing them and take more frequent breaks, which doesn’t help keep your heart rate up. It was great to have a set plan and stick to it for multiple rounds. I also like how they wrote on their post “Minimal Rest Between Exercises” because it made me think twice any time I thought about stopping or slowing down.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
I really enjoyed the convenience and accessibility of being able to do this routine at any time and any place. This way, it is left up to the individual to set aside a portion of their day (whether it’s morning, afternoon, or evening) and commit that time to exercising.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
I would recommend these daily routines to anyone who is a self-motivated go-getter. Working out from home requires a degree of self-discipline and time commitment and you need to be able to hold yourself accountable since there isn’t a scheduled in-person class or an instructor there to push you. It doesn’t matter if you decide to do these routines every day, every other day, or a couple of times per week. You have to push yourself by creating and sticking with your own schedule.

What else do we need to know about Sweat Fitness?
I would say for these routines, make sure you use a timer as needed instead of trying to count off in your head. I also recommend some sort of high energy music playing in the background (for me it was punk rock, but anything that is fast-paced and gets your blood pumping is beneficial). If you are able and your schedule allows, you should do these routines outside. This way, you won’t feel as confined in a bedroom or living room and you can soak in some sunshine and fresh air while breaking a sweat!

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Unity Yoga: All Levels Outdoor Yoga
By Joan, Marketing + Retail Strategy

Short summary of your class.
It was an all-level outdoor yoga class on Grape Street with Meloni. I brought my mat, water, and mask. She was easy to follow and I really enjoy the outdoor practice.

How did you feel before your workout?
It was great to do a yoga class after a long day at work. I was excited to do it.

How did you feel during your workout?
I really enjoyed practicing with other people after these few months and I felt far enough away from everyone. I loved hearing the birds singing and all of the noises around me. They actually became part of my meditation during the practice.

How did you feel after?
Great. Mindful. And I loved that I could walk to an outdoor restaurant and get a light bite afterwards.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
I loved exercising outdoors.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
Being outside, being far away from others doing yoga.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
It was all levels and just challenging enough for an evening class.

What else do we need to know about Unity Yoga?
They offer so many different types of classes and a great selection of recovery classes. I would suggest you bring a double mat to the outdoor classes if you can.

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The Wall Cycling Studio: Cardio & Sculpt at North Light Community Center
By Meg D., Director of Marketing + Events

Short summary of your class.
The Wall's Cardio & Sculpt is a serious burner! The 45-minute class is made up of three rounds of AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) and EMOM (every minute on the minute) work efforts. Each round is about 6 minutes long, so you're either doing 6 minutes of a few different exercises or you're doing one exercise for a full minute before moving onto the next one.

How did you feel before your workout?
I was super excited to take my workout outdoors - and with other people! Pre-COVID, I would take The Wall's Spin & Sculpt class so I was familiar with the structure of the "sculpt" portion and am really happy to get that workout back into my .

How did you feel during your workout?
Energized! There isn't much time for rest during this class - you just have to keep going from round to round. The class definitely kept my interest the entire 45 minutes because you're always doing different exercises and working different parts of your body.

How did you feel after?
...sweaty! Unfortunately, there is no air conditioning at the North Light Community Center playground! What I love about taking this class is that it takes place first thing in the morning. I feel really accomplished and ready to start a productive day afterwards - it gets my adrenaline going!

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
The experience of a full body workout is really amazing. And like I previously mentioned, it was good to see familiar faces and work out beside them - from a distance, of course. I love the community feel The Wall creates.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
It's outdoors and it moves really quickly - we got a lot done in just 45 minutes, which left me sore for at least 24 hours! There is also a limited amount of equipment that goes into this class (we used hand weights for this class), so you rely a lot on your own body weight. Other classes I've taken at the studio use quite a bit of equipment, from bikes to TRX and the barre.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
When I say that this class moves quickly and there's a lot that gets done in a short amount of time, I don't mean it to be intimidating. Julie and her instructors are always quick to help you make adjustments or modifications for anyone who's starting out or may not be able to do every move right away. It's for anyone who's motivated to get in shape!

What else do we need to know about The Wall Studio?
This class in particular requires you to just bring a mat for the actual workout. I also recommend you bring a lot of water and maybe even a towel - it's hot out there! Overall, this class will make you feel really good about yourself. It's a great way to start the day!

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Yoga on Main: Online Inner Fire Yoga
By Meg D., Director of Marketing + Events

Short summary of your class.
Yoga on Main’s Inner Fire Yoga was really different from any other class I’ve taken. It started out with a teaching by instructor, Shiva Das, followed by a careful instructions for a slower pace than I’m used to. What was really different was that the instructor didn’t do the poses himself but rather explained exactly how your body should be positioned and how it should feel.

How did you feel before your workout?
I felt really relaxed before class, and the teaching at the beginning of class helped me settle in even more. Shiva Das talked about how greed is fear based, which was really relatable during this time of a global pandemic.

How did you feel during your workout?

I felt the burn! This class was much slower than what I’m used to and we held the poses a little longer. It was a longer class than I’m used to too.

How did you feel after?
Warmed up and ready to start my day. The slower and more spiritual pace really left my head and body on a positive state.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
The chance to slow down and just be present. I was lucky enough to take this class during my long weekend away with family, and this allowed me to step away from the noise for 90 minutes to reenergize and recenter.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
The whole class was a different experience for me. I wasn’t expecting a teaching for her first 15 minutes whereas traditionally, I’m already stretched and ready to jump into my workout. He even gave my classmates a chance to share their experiences based on his teaching. Between the slower pace, the longer class time, and the more mindful poses, it was not only a workout of the body but of the mind.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
I believe yoga is for everyone and that each person will take away something different from this class. I would especially recommend this class to someone who is feeling the anxiety of the world right now. It was a pleasure to take 90 minutes to myself to refocus and feel good in my body afterwards.

What else do we need to know about Yoga on Main?
Yoga on Main is only offering online classes right now, so if you plan on taking one, make sure you've created a space without distractions to fully benefit from it! All you need is your mat and the willingness to be present for 90 minutes. You’ll feel amazing afterwards!

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Hotbox Yoga: Power Yoga
By Meg S., Executive Assistant

Short summary of your class.
Power Yoga was an out-door version of the typical moves we did in the studio pre-pandemic. I was so happy to return to my chaturanga vinyasa, tree pose, and Warrior pose! Although my Chair pose was weak it was really nice being outside and seeing the blue sky while getting to focus my view on Chabaa Thai’s lovely outdoor seating.

How did you feel before your workout?
I was nervous, as one typically gets before a yoga class. It’s always the getting there that is tough. The actual class is the cure to this anxiety and as always Hotbox did not let me down.

How did you feel during your workout?

I felt great. I could tell I had not stretched properly in five months and our instructor Nicole was super encouraging.

How did you feel after?
Wonderful! I felt revived and stronger as well as more at peace. We are really fortunate to have the opportunity to practice yoga outdoors and in person in our community. For me, it takes away a lot of piled up stress.

What did you get the most out of your class experience?
A quasi- “return to normal”. Obviously, it was not my typical practice scene since we were in the middle of a street in Manayunk. However, it was a new way to interact socially distantly and healthily.

What made this class different from others you have taken?
This class was different because of the location and atmosphere. Grape Street at 11 a.m. on a Sunday was surrounded by dog walkers, trains going by, and birds flying overhead. Despite being in the middle of all this action, it was surprisingly peaceful.

What kind of person would you recommend this to?
Anyone who has felt cooped up and stressed out.

What else do we need to know about Yoga on Main?
Bring your mat, extra water, and a towel. Wear sunscreen in case you don’t want a spot in the shade.

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